A study examined the changes in team membership for 18 students with deaf-blindness from 1994-95 to 1997-98. Findings highlight the many people who are involved in each student's education and the high level of turnover among professional staff. Implications for managing changes in team membership are discussed. (Author/CR)

This qualitative study identified 4 major themes during interviews with 28 families whose children have dual sensory impairments. Concerns clustered around parental perceptions of a "good life" for their children, and their experiences with fear, frustration, and change. (Author/DB)

Two studies (with 78 experts in deaf blindness and multiple disabilities and 44 parents of children with deaf blindness) explored the content and social validity of an educational planning tool--COACH (Choosing Options and Accommodations for Children). Combined results provide initial validation that COACH is congruent with exemplary practice.…

This final report documents the activities and products of the Related Services Research Project to Support the Education of Students with Deaf Blindness, a four-year research project which was designed to define, implement, and evaluate a set of specific strategies that would result in effective special education and related service provision for…

Project LIFE (Lifelong Impact From Education) was a 3-year federally funded program to develop, field test, and disseminate a collaborative model that increases the capacity of neighborhood schools and local education agencies to provide appropriate educational services to children with deaf-blindness in general education settings and improve…

Attitudes toward support service models that are shifting away from specialist-reliant toward natural support systems were studied, from the perspectives of professionals and parents (N=119) who were educational team members for students with deaf-blindness and multiple disabilities in general education settings. Analyses suggest inconsistent…

This paper describes the Vermont Interdependent Services Team Approach (VISTA), a decision-making process for determining the educational support service needs of students with deaf-blindness or other multiple disabilities. The paper also analyzes perceptions of VISTA held by experts in a variety of fields. Specifically, VISTA provides a team…

An evaluation was conducted of an educational planning process for inclusive education called COACH (Choosing Options and Accommodations for Children), which was used with 30 elementary and secondary students who are deaf-blind. Interviews with 72 teachers, parents, and staff addressed effects on relationships between parents and professionals and…